Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Carolina

Help me relax, hivemind!

sickinthehead — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:46:40 -0800

I am in Chapel Hill, NC and want to rent a house/cabin somewhere this weekend? Where should I go? I don't want more than a 3 hour drive if possible, and I haven't been to either the mountains or the beach in the year that I've lived here. While the mountains may be beautiful at this time of year, I think the beach on a warm sunny fall weekend also sounds like a nice idea.

The problems:

- I don't know what towns I should be looking in.

- I want to bring my dog.

- I don't know where to look for rentals. I poked around on craigslist, but I want to know if there is some other site that is good for this.

- I want to spend about 125/night.

So Metafilter, where should I go this weekend?

Help me relive a happy childhood memory!

srrh — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:59:16 -0800

Sometime around '93-95, when I was living in Plymouth, NC, my elementary school class took a field trip to a bird farm. I would love to track down the place where I went. As a child, I lived in Plymouth, NC, and attended Pines Elementary School. In 2nd or 3rd grade, my class took a field trip to a bird farm. I know that I had a teacher named Mrs. Byrd in 2nd or 3rd grade, but I'm not sure which, and I don't know who the other teacher might have been. That's mostly beside the point, however, as the school website is very sparse, and there isn't even a teacher directory there for me to try to hunt down my old teacher with.

I give you the location of the school because, since it was a field trip, the bird farm could not have been too very far away from it. Maybe an hour or two at the most? I have done some googling and found a few bird farms, but most of them seem to be in central/Western NC, and so too far away. I haven't lived in NC since I was 7 years old, so I don't remember the geography at all.

As for the bird farm itself, I use that phrase because I remember specifically that my teacher and the people there referred to it as a bird farm, rather than an aviary or some other term. It was a small farm, and I'm not even sure if the animals were used for eggs or slaughter, or if it was more of a petting-zoo type thing. They had other birds besides your typical chickens and turkeys -- I specifically remember peacocks, and I believe they had swans and geese as well.

Hopefully someone here lives or has lived in NC and has some idea what I'm talking about, or maybe someone has an idea for a way I can search to point me in the right direction. Thanks for the help!

The Dean Dome is so very far away now

K.P. — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:40:03 -0800

Is there any way to watch UNC basketball in the UK? I'd like to be able to watch the rest of the season, the ACC tournament, and the NCAA tournament. But I'm going to be in England the whole time. I'll be somewhere with a very basic cable television service from Virgin (this one I think), so traditional TV doesn't seem to be an option. Is there any way to watch online?

I won't be in London, but might consider making the trip for the final tournament games if there is a pub showing them on a big screen.

ISO data

greta simone — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:03:17 -0800

Google-fu masters: I need some stats, STAT. I have been looking for two days for this set of specific data. I've been to all the usual government and research foundation sites, but I can't seem to find what I need. Self-admittedly, I have terrible google-fu. If anyone feels like going on a treasure hunt for me, I'd give you a virtual high five.

I'm looking for a North Carolina county-by-county breakdown of the following information (data from 2005 or later only please):
--Domestic violence (insubstantiated and substantiated)
--Substance abuse
--Single parent households
--Court ordered child support
--High school graduation rate of males
--Incarceration rate of males
--Fertility rates of unmarried women
--Martial, separation, and divorce rates

I have been able to find loads of other data that I need, but it seems that data on issues related to these subjects just slightly misses the mark. I also understand that data might not be available for a lot of this stuff as well.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Post & Beam in Asheville, NC

Glendale — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:01:16 -0800

Looking for a Post & Beam construction job in Asheville, NC. Any suggestions? I have an excellent resume, great references, and pretty darn good cover letter. Unfortunately, I'll only be in Asheville from January-September 2009. I'm looking to work an entry-level position to gain experience. I've been working carpentry and remodeling for a few years now, and before that was doing high-end residential house painting.

Lying/stretching the truth about the amount of time I'll be with the company isn't an option for me. I'm looking to work with/for happy, down to earth folks that appreciate good hard work and an appreciation for detail and quality labor. Do you know any businesses (big or small) that fit this mold?

Moving to Raleigh, Need Apartment Suggestions!

my_impermanence — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:35:45 -0800

What districts/streets/apartment buildings do you suggest I check out on my mini-vacation to Raleigh, North Carolina. I plan on moving there in the near future and I want to find a place that's in the middle of the action. Hi there. My girlfriend and I are planning on moving to Raleigh, NC this spring when she gets done with her Masters of Architecture. We are both 23 years old. We’re looking to move to Raleigh for a few reasons:

•We’re sick of Ohio
•I can’t find work in Ohio (I graduated 7 months ago with a degree in marketing)
•Raleigh is within driving distance from home (9 hrs)
•It’s supposed to be a great city to live and work
•We need a little more excitement (but a city like New York or Chicago would probably be too overwhelming) I grew up with a cornfield in my backyard, and she grew up in the burbs.

I’ve done quite a bit of research on Raleigh and the surrounding communities so not much input is needed regarding the character of those places. My main question resides on what area/district street/apartment complex would be right for me? I wish to live INSIDE the belt line.

1)I want to be able to literally walk out of my apartment and grab a bite to eat or go to a nice music bar. In other words, I’d like to find a spot that’s SAFE but in the middle of everything Raleigh has to offer. So far Glenwood South sounds about ideal.
2)We don’t have a lot of money now, but we’re willing to pay the extra cash to live in the downtown area if it fits our budget (preferably 1 bedrooms under $800).

We’re going to take a mini vacation to Raleigh in a few weeks here, so any suggestions as to apartments or areas that you would recommend living at/near would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

PS. I found a lot of affordable apartments located at 740 Small Wood Dr. They include Wedgewood, Raleigh Apartments, and Glenwood Gradens... are these worth checking out?

Will I go bonkers in Raleigh?

pazazygeek — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:41:29 -0800

What are you knowin' about North Carolina? I am a big city girl with a potential life-changing job opportunity in NC (triangle area) and I'm flying out next week for an interview and to check out the area. What should I look for? I'll be honest, the idea of moving to North Carolina is making me feel funny in my tummy, and not necessarily in the good way. I am a 31 year old single professional lady in a creative industry. While I am very focused on my career, I am also focused on living my life to the fullest. I like having a lot of friends, I am a musician, and a verrrryyyyy wide variety of interests.

I also struggle with feeling bored, isolated and lonely if I'm too far away from the bright lights of the city. I live alone in Los Angeles (I grew up here), in an arty neighborhood, but sometimes feel disconnected and isolated just because of the car culture in this city. I lived previously in Boston and flowered and blossomed like I had never imagined I could when I was there -- I loved the vibrance of a dense, small city.

I have a tendency to get very depressed, holed up in my own head, anxiously mentally screaming at myself, when I spend too much time alone. On the other side, I get antsy, frustrated and unpleasant if not given enough alone time to do all of the weird things I like to do when I'm alone (try on all of my clothes; shadowbox in my living room; write songs; play video games in my unmentionables; listen to Slayer at high volume; sing into my hairbrush in front of a mirror, whatever) -- so roommates are kind of right out.

I am single but I do like to date, and I'm open to the idea of a long term relationship. I won't die if I spend the next few years single, but I'd rather not.

As far as interests go, I am a big fan of music, live and otherwise, particularly punk rock, alt country, etc, but have a really varied taste in music. I like going to art galleries, I like fun/divey bars, I loooove Karaoke with a good group. I love boxing; I'm training with a private trainer now, rather passionately. I also like Yoga and Pilates a lot. I am not particularly outdoorsy, but I think I could get into it. I'm politically active and like to spend time volunteering, either for political endeavors or just to help out my community (homeless shelters, old folks homes, etc).

I would say I'm absolutely at my happiest when I can spend a lot of time alone amongst strangers, or in a group of friends. I make friends easily, but have only ever lived in cities. If I had it my way, I'd be looking at a job opportunity in a dense city like Boston, Chicago or NYC, someplace with solid public transportation and a large variety of people. I love to walk around my neighborhood with a place in mind to wind up. I love meandering around listening to my iPod and waving and smiling at people. Can I do that in NC?

The job is in the Triangle area, in a suburb between Raleigh and Durham. To narrow it down, here are some questions I have:

1.) What sorts of areas should I check out when I am in town? I will be there from Monday to Wednesday.

2.) Could I live in a more "exciting" part of town, like Chapel Hill (I've heard it's cool) and still easily commute to a job in the suburbs?

3.) I am very worried about going absolutely crazy with a slower pace of life. I don't know if this is rational or not -- can you suggest things I should do that are sort of like "everyday triangle life" that might help me get an idea?

In My Mind I'm Going to [North or South?] Carolina

kirkaracha — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:54:46 -0800

Does "Carolina" used by itself mean North Carolina, South Carolina, or both? In "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "Nothing could be finer/Than to have your ham an' eggs in Carolina." James Taylor sings "In my mind I'm going to Carolina" (I know he grew up in North Carolina). The Carolina Panthers play in Charlotte but officially represent both states.

So what does "Carolina" mean? I've usually heard "the Carolinas" used to refer to the two states together.

Asheville NC - I'm looking for a unique place to live...

Glendale — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:11:04 -0800

Asheville NC - I'm looking for a unique place to live... When I say "unique" I mean cheap ;) I'm moving to the Asheville area with my fiance in mid January, and we'd like to live somewhere fun, but cheap. We'll only be in town for 8-10 months, so signing a year long lease isn't feasible. Are there any little "yurt-towns" near Asheville? Is there a town in the area with an abundance of cabins for rent? Running water would be nice to have, but we can do without electricity if we need to...

Basically, we're trying to live around Asheville temporarily (until we get hitched) because it sounds like such a great place to be, and we'd like to save a bit of money while we're down there. We also both really like the idea of cabins and yurts ;)

Where Can I Find Gelato

theichibun — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:29:32 -0800

Looking for a place that has gelato in or near Charlotte, NC. And a restaurant for real food to go with it. For my birthday dinner/lunch some friends want to take me out to eat. I've never had gelato and they think that's just crazy and want to take care of that. Only problem is that we don't know where to get it in or near Charlotte, NC.

So, where's a good place to get gelato in Charlotte? And if you're feeling very nice or informative, where's a good restaurant for us to get real food. Bonus points if they're within walking distance of each other, and even more bonus points if they're the same place. I'm not a stickler for a type of food, and really like trying new places.

Get me to Chapel Hill from NYC!

greta simone — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:33:52 -0800

How to get to Chapel Hill from NYC? Hey y'all. So I'm riding up to NYC from Chapel Hill, NC around the first of August, with a friend who is moving there. I was hoping to hang around for a few days and see friends, but I'm struggling with the best way to get back. I have always flown round-trip when visiting NY, when airline prices were more reasonable. Presently, I have very little money, so I'm trying to come up with the most economical way to take a one-way trip back to CH from NYC. I have looked at one way flights and Amtrak. While those options aren't super-expensive, I am looking for alternative ideas that I might not have considered.
A few things:
Please do not suggest taking a bus. I have my reasons for not wanting to take a bus.
As long as I can get to the general Chapel Hill area (Greensboro to Raleigh), I could have someone pick me up at the end.

Mostly, I'm just looking for secrets that others may have discovered when making this trek. Is there a website to find a good rideshare? I have looked at craigslist already, but haven't found much, and I'm not sure I would trust anyone from craigslist. Is there a place to find discounted Amtrak deals? Do you or any of your friends want to drive me?

I'm just trying to save a couple of bucks.
Thanks!

Greensboro to Cape Fear

jammy — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:18:41 -0800

NorthCarolinaFilter: A friend is traveling between Greensboro and Cape Fear and back again - They would love to hear some ideas on what to see? what to do? Especially interested in any recommendations of the historical variety (museums, tours, etc.).

Alternatively, suggestions or tips on interesting ecological or sustainability projects in this region would also be welcome - also, social justice projects.

Thanks!

How do I get married in a few days?

Anonymous — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:08:35 -0800

Where might my fiancé and I marry in South or North Carolina in the next few days? Okay, so, we need to get married by or on Monday, maybe Tuesday but really Monday. We'd ideally like to be married at South of the Border but it looks like there's a one-day waiting period in South Carolina that doesn't exist in North Carolina.

5 Day Honeymoon On the Blue Ridge Parkway

raikkohamilonso — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:05:02 -0800

5 Day Honeymoon on Blue Ridge Parkway: What to See, Where To Stay? Going next week. We want this to be leisurely - probably no hiking, etc... Also, we don't want to be in a constant "we've got to hurry so we can get to the Next Destination" sort of deal.

Starting on the south end and going up.

* What are definite things to see/make effort to go to?
* Best places/affordable places to stay?
* Best places to eat?
* Places off of the parkway to go to?
* Destinations nearby in Virginia?

Thanks

Any reason to visit Raleigh, NC?

seinfeld — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:28:01 -0800

Is there anything to do for two days in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham areas? Coming from DC, my wife and I want to take a little two-day trip south.. But we don't know, nor can we tell, if there's much to do. We enjoy walking around cities, seeing local shops and attractions.. We'd love to rollerblade, but I'm afraid it may be a bit cold for that.. Thanks

Vis a Vis Living in the Triangle

spitbull — Wed, 09 May 2007 10:05:28 -0800

North Carolinian MeFites: Please fill me in on the treasures of the Raleigh-Durham area in preparation for a visit . . . So I'm going to the Triangle area of North Carolina for a week in late May-early June, and hoping to check into some things that might make living there worthwhile (not just touristy stuff).

I am especially interested in a) live music scenes; b) explorable natural wonders within a 2-hour drive or so of RDU; c) the visual arts scene in the area; d) great places to eat, especially Southern food; e) ways to experience the local climate of cultural tolerance and/or conflict honestly on a brief visit (especially post-Duke-lacrosse-scandal, I'd love to see places or events where town/gown, black/white/Latino, and rich/poor interact every day). If there's something you hate about living there, that's helpful too. Muchas gracias, y'all.

Photo booths in South Carolina

nathancaswell — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 12:03:51 -0800

Where can I find a Polaroid (not digital) photo booth in South Carolina? Ideally it would be black & white, not digital, and printed in strips.

I've done my googling and checked out a couple (but they've all been the digital ones that superimpose cheesy stuff like saloon doors and "Wild Wild West" in Rosewood.

I feel like there has to be a couple somewhere. Anyone know of one?

If this doesn't pan out our next step is to call a place that rents them and ask who services their equipment. Then call the service company and see if they have a list.

Help fix my friend's Mac

nathancaswell — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 17:28:06 -0800

Help me find a great place to get a Mac repaired in a few select cities in South or North Carolina. I'm posting this for a friend who is trying to find a friendly, competent place to get a Mac (Powermac G4 tower, specifically the DVD drive) repaired in any of the following cities:

Columbia, SC
Charleston, SC
Asheville, NC (piggybacked on the Joanna Newsom concert)

It's always a bit tricky with Mac repairs. Recommendations? Places to avoid? Her DVD drive is broken and I think her system could use a good once over, hardware wise (exceedingly loud fan, etc). She's not the most computer minded person but wants to get this taken care of.

Thanks.

the entire state of Carolina waits for me

Flamingo — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 15:00:46 -0800

Help me find a place to stay in NC! a few friends and I would like to rent a house somewhere in North Carolina for a week in August. I've searched craigslist and googled some, but I've been disappointed in what I've found, quality-wise.
I'm looking for suggestions to specific areas or places that you've visited that meet our requirements. Please feel free to mention places to avoid or must-see attractions in the area.

Our few requirements:
-in the mountains, definitely not beach
-near (or on-site) fishing and boating
-good area for minor hiking (we don't want to be in the total, no-one-will-ever-find-you wilderness, but we don't want to be in a city)

would love to have:
-screened porches
-hot tub
-boat rentals on-site (or free with house rental!)
-fishing equipment rentals (do they even do this?)

There will be 6-8 of us going (probably two couples and some friends).

Thanks in advance for the help

Urban Hiker, where have you hiked to now?

amtho — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:10:25 -0800

What happened to "Urban Hiker" magazine in the triangle region of NC? For those not from here, it was a free little newsprint-magazine I used to be able to pick up and read with my lunch once in a while; it was all about non-fiction stories told from the first person. It seemed to have plenty of advertising, enthusiastic support... I read it almost every month, then, a while ago, it disappeared.

I know there are some Triangle-ites (Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh North Carolina area residents) here; sorry to be so locally focused, but I don't know who else to ask. Did something happen to the editor(s)?

Camping in the Carolinas

borkingchikapa — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 17:21:16 -0800

I want to go camping somewhere on the coast of North or South Carolina over New Year's. I'd really like it to be right on the beach and relatively devoid of people (though that shouldn't be a problem in the dead of winter), if that's possible. I've been to Hammock's state park/Bear Island in NC, but there's numerous problems with that... it's a pain in the ass to get to because the ferry only runs in the summer, they winterize the water facilities, campfires are prohibited (I'd really like a place that allows them), etc. The warmer it's likely to be the better, but I don't expect anywhere along the coast will be particularly balmy.

South Carolina BBQ?

willbaude — Sun, 10 Jul 2005 09:36:34 -0800

BBQFilter: What's a good recipe for mustard-molasses South Carolina barbecue sauce? It is always dangerous to wade into the realm of American barbecue, with its regional partisans and civil wars, but lately I've been having a craving for barbecue sauce based heavily on molasses or brown sugar and mustard; I'd prefer molasses. I believe this sauce is attributed to South Carolina, and I'd like any recipe you trust.

Good neighborhoods in Raleigh/Durham

repoman — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 10:51:42 -0800

What are some good neighborhoods around or in the Raleigh/Durham NC area ? (MI) Couple with two young children seeking area that does not reek of cookie-cutterville. Old, established neighborhoods, looking to buy a house..near decent coffee houses, bookstores, playgrounds...hope y'all get the idea. Thanks in advance.